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10 Best Vehicles for Adventure

Photo Credit: Ford

January 18, 2019
By Jeff Zurschmeide

One reason we love cars, trucks, and SUVs is that each one is a potential gateway to adventure. A vehicle of any kind confers the ability to drive to new places, and thereby alter your point of view. There are many different definitions of adventure out there, and there are vehicles that are perfectly suited to anything your heart may desire. With the right vehicle, anything is possible.

With that in mind, here are 10 very different vehicles, each suited to a particular kind of adventure. Consider these suggestions and let your mind fill in the details of your own personal journey.

2019 Jeep Wrangler

If your adventure lies well away from civilization up in the mountains, you really can’t make a better choice than the 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The latest generation of Jeep’s classic design was introduced last year, and it’s no stretch to say that this is the best Jeep ever made. The Wrangler is available in two-door and extended-wheelbase four-door Unlimited models in a variety of trims.

Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts can choose between three different 4X4 systems, from basic to the most capable package on the market. Serious off-roaders will want the specialty Rubicon trim, named after a famous four-wheeling trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Wrangler Rubicon features dual locking differentials on the front and rear axles, plus an electric sway bar disconnect option on the dashboard.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette

The classic Route 66 road trip runs from Chicago to Los Angeles through some of the most spectacular scenery in America. The road was made famous in the 1960s with a pair of young adventurers and a 1961 Corvette. Today’s 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is even better suited to adventure than its predecessor, with breathtaking power and a comfortable interior.

Corvette buyers can choose from a hardtop or a convertible, engine power ranging from 460 to 755 hp, and your choice of a 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. The new Corvette is available with interior features like zone climate control, a premium Bose audio system, GPS navigation, and soft leather upholstery. Serious driving enthusiasts should consider an upgrade to the Grand Sport trim with the Z07 upgraded magnetic suspension and carbon-ceramic Brembo brake package.

2019 Ford Flex

The surfing safari is a classic adventure that can take you from the wide beaches of southern California heading south to the secluded sands of Mexico, or to the challenging bays of the Hawaiian islands. As generations of surfers discovered, this safari needs a vehicle capable of carrying a few friends, your longboards, and some camping gear. The 2019 Ford Flex midsize SUV is exactly the vehicle for the job.

The Flex offers up to 83.2 cubic feet of cargo space or three rows of seating for up to seven passengers, plus an extra-long roof for the surfboards. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 engine and depending on their plans, buyers can choose front-wheel or all-wheel drive. There’s even an available towing package.

2019 Ford F-150 Raptor

If the spirit of adventure draws you to the desert, the ultimate vehicle to get you out into the wilderness is the 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor. This pickup offers professional-level off-road gear right off the showroom floor. The Raptor comes with aftermarket touches like Fox live valve monotube shocks, long-travel suspension, electronic locking differential, and a powerful turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine.

Perhaps most compelling is Ford’s terrain management system, with six different selectable driving modes for every kind of surface. The Raptor also includes Ford’s Trail Control system, which works like cruise control when you’re in rough country. Just set the desired speed and the Raptor will scramble over almost any obstruction. All you have to do is steer.

2019 Land Rover Range Rover

Winter adventures pose their own unique challenges. If you want to conquer the ice and snow in style, the 2019 Land Rover Range Rover is the SUV to buy. With top-shelf luxury and one of the most advanced AWD systems on the market, the Range Rover can get you to the slopes in perfect comfort no matter what the weather may bring. Land Rover’s All-Terrain Progress Control can keep the Range Rover moving forward at up to 18 mph under almost any conditions.

If you want something new and exciting, the Range Rover soon will be available with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain in addition to the existing gasoline and diesel engines. The hybrid system produces up to 398 hp, and will be available in the summer of 2019.

2019 Mazda Miata

No list of adventure cars would be complete without the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata. What car could be better for a brisk drive up California’s legendary Pacific Coast Highway? From the lights of Los Angeles to the plunging cliffs of Big Sur and up to the great redwoods north of San Francisco, the Miata was built for this kind of road trip.

New for 2019, the Miata comes with 181 hp from a rev-happy 2.0-liter engine, with your choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. If you need a little more protection from the elements, consider the 2019 Miata RF Retractable Fastback. The Miata’s compact two-seat design encourages economical packing, but there’s enough room in the trunk for a pair of overnight bags - and what more do you really need?

2019 Cadillac CT6

If your road trip plans involve longer distances on the Interstate highway system, the 2019 Cadillac CT6 could be the perfect choice. The CT6 is big, powerful, and carries every technology and comfort feature available in the modern era. But it has much more than just luxury.

The CT6 offers Cadillac’s most advanced technology in the form of the Super Cruise system. This driver assistance feature allows you to set a speed and a lane, and then take your hands off the steering wheel entirely. The CT6 has a detailed map of the entire U.S. and Canadian highway system in its memory, but it’s not fully autonomous just yet. You still have to keep eyes on the road, but feel free to take a good look at the scenery.

2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Some adventures require a team, and if you need to carry a bunch of people to the ends of the Earth, you want a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. With space for up to 15 co-conspirators plus some luggage, the Sprinter has you covered. You can get your Sprinter with a high roof if standing room is required, or haul up to 3,441 lbs of gear. And with Mercedes’ upfitter program, any customization you need is easy to get.

Further, don’t think that the Sprinter is only for pavement. You can get the Sprinter with a gas or diesel engine, and with rear-wheel or electronically engaged four-wheel drive. If your team is a little smaller, consider the midsize 2019 Mercedes-Benz Metris van with seating for seven.

2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

Do you dream of racing glory? If the smell of hot tires and the allure of the checkered flag tingles your senses, then a pure sports car like the 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider could be just the right ticket for you. The 4C Spider gives you exotic car looks and breathtaking performance for the price of a conventional sport sedan.

Alfa’s untamed 1.75-liter turbocharged engine is located behind the two-seat passenger compartment and ahead of the rear wheels for perfect balance. The twin clutch transmission delivers all 237 hp to the ground, rocketing the carbon-fiber monocoque from a standing stop to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. You also can track your performance on the digital dashboard.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica

Going to the mountains or the beach is all very good, but the ultimate adventure could be the one you take as a family. If you have little ones sharing your plans, consider the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica as the vehicle for your expeditions. With seating for up to eight people, you’ll be able to carry the whole family wherever life may take you.

The Pacifica ensures that no one will get bored, either. Available dual 10-inch touchscreens in the second row offer Blu-Ray playback, HDMI inputs, onboard apps and games, all kept under control with wireless headphones and remotes. When you need to carry cargo, Chrysler’s convenient Stow ‘n Go seats in the second and third rows make reconfiguration easy.